How to extend antenna from your wifi PCI card?

**Tred** · 06-19-2005, 11:19 PM

Has anyone had any experience extending the antenna from a PCI wifi card? I have Linksys dual band PCI card. I was thinking about cutting and extending the wire from the antenna and the box, but im not sure if this is the "correct" way. Heres a pic of what it looks like:

**thanatos106** · 06-19-2005, 11:41 PM

Sure.... you can do that.

Just get the cable and the right connector and you all set.

The pic is from my usb adpter mod......

**Tred** · 06-19-2005, 11:54 PM

what type of cable should I be using and which connector?

**CapitaineFritz** · 06-20-2005, 12:14 AM

Well take a look at your card, you should be able to unscrew your antenna, and there is a connector there. You can buy antennas for ~30$ in electronic/computer stores.

**Tred** · 06-20-2005, 12:22 AM

there is no way to unscrew the antenna, I can take the antenna off the board but it is still attached to that little black wire.

**Wiredwrx** · 06-20-2005, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Tred

there is no way to unscrew the antenna, I can take the antenna off the board but it is still attached to that little black wire.

You can add a connector onto the card, adn get an appropriate antenna and cable. Soldering a cable to the wire might be tricky, and you will have to make sure you have an adequate strain relief.

If your not good with a soldering iron, get a different card with a connector so that you can easily attach an external antenna.

Michael

**Tred** · 06-20-2005, 01:40 AM

I can solder, what connector, cable, and antenna do you reccomend?

**ElKeeed** · 06-20-2005, 07:44 AM

You cant just extend that wire willy nilly though or you will get a huge loss in signal over it. A much better idea would be to get a usb one so you can position it well in the first place.

**jcdillin** · 06-20-2005, 12:19 PM

or just pull the metal can off , the antenna cable should connect with a small conector to the board. Then just find a suitable replacement antenna with that connector.

**Wiredwrx** · 06-20-2005, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tred

I can solder, what connector, cable, and antenna do you reccomend?

There are many types of each that you can look into getting. Some of the low loss connectors are SMA and N connectors. SMA is generaly smaller, but might be harder to work with. As for cable, the thicker the better for signal loss, but the harder to run to your antenna. The thinner, the more loss, but easier to run. It would depend on your lenth of run. Under say, 6 feet, RG213 should be fine. Longer, I would at least try some RG58, or RG8.

Now, if you get an external antenna, you can connect a connector to match the antenna. Just do a

search and you will find many antennas that can fill your needs. (Search terms "wifi antenna SMA, or whatever connector you want to use)

Michael